This out-and-back route climbs 400 feet in the first 2 miles, switchbacking several times near the trailhead and hitting some steep, rocky sections (and plenty of sand) before curving to the right for a relatively flat 0.5-mile stretch. The trail is generally easy to follow as it is also popular with off-road vehicles (you can follow the marks left by oil and tire stains). As you continue on rock ledges and dipping between rounded slickrock hills—fun rides if you’re up for it—look for the La Sal mountains on your right and follow the white-painted jeeps painted on trail-marking rocks. Heading right toward the mesa edge might leave you stranded a few hundred feet below the trail on a fin, so pick your lines carefully. Near mile 5, a large sligkrock area is a veritable playground, with plenty of opportunities to ride around before following the short spur trail to this ride’s turn-around, Little Arch.
Though this ride is an out-and-back, the Poison Spider Trail is the first section of a longer loop that includes the Portal Trail—an advanced-level trail with epic exposure and “dismount” warning signs along its length. Advanced-level riders could consider adding that trail for a slightly longer loop ride that finishes on the road.
-Mapped by Gene Poncelet
TO TRAILHEAD: From Moab, drive north on US-191 for 4.1 miles, and turn left onto UT-279. In 5.9 miles, bear left toward the well-marked Poison Spider Trailhead and the Dinosaur Tracks. The parking area is just over 100 yards up the small hill.
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Datum: |
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Poison Spider to Little Arch
| Dist: 12.26 mi |
Points: 1766 |
Calories: none |
| Time: 3:02:10 |
Speed: 4.0 mph |
Pace: 14:51 / mi |
POI001
Location: 38.532557°, -109.609072°
From the well-marked trailhead, the route climbs 400 feet in the first 2 miles, switchbacking several times near the trailhead and hitting some steep, rocky sections (and plenty of sand) before curving to the right for a relatively flat 0.5-mile stretch.
POI002
Location: 38.539824°, -109.626646°
Stay straight on the main Jeep-road trail as it curves right. There's a short slickrock section ahead that dips into one of many sandy spots on this trail.
POI003
Location: 38.551253°, -109.614329°
Bear right to follow this route east and downhill then toward the edge of the mesa. The right-leading fork connects with the same trail in just under 1 mile, but maintains a steadier elevation, skipping a climb on this route's right-leading trail.
POI004
Location: 38.555440°, -109.600961°
Views of the La Sal Mountains are one of the highlights of the mesa-edge ride. The wide trail on this section of the ride is well-established an easy to follow, but there is still some sand before the slickrock up ahead.
POI005
Location: 38.562043°, -109.596412°
Curve to the right, following the main trail and dipping into a sandy pit up ahead. As you ride toward the slickrock playground, keep the dome ahead on your right.
POI006
Location: 38.564245°, -109.587244°
The main trail continues to the left, but the short spur trail leads right to Little Arch and a picturesque picnic area overlooking the Colorado River.
POI007
Location: 38.563582°, -109.585635°
An occasional show-off rides over Little Arch, but just looking through it toward the Moab Rim Trailhead on the far side of the Colorado River is a thrill. To the north, there's a great picnic spot for a mid-ride resting point.
View of the La Sal Mountains
Location: 38.544866°, -109.617041°
© Gene Poncelet
Climb
Location: 38.532108°, -109.609894°
On the way out of the trailhead area, take a few extra minutes and follow the signs to the dinosaur tracks near here. © Gene Poncelet
Sand
Location: 38.541749°, -109.624949°
Off the fine slickrock and into some sand. © Gene Poncelet
Jeep Climb
Location: 38.544193°, -109.620987°
Bikes do well on some of these sections that are difficult for jeeps and 4X4's. The smooth rock makes climbing and descending easy. © Gene Poncelet
Climb
Location: 38.543568°, -109.619297°
A rider clearing a short, rough uphill at mile 2.5. © Gene Poncelet
Highway
Location: 38.543840°, -109.617859°
Black rubber from jeeps on this trail make it easy to navigate. Just follow the slickrock "road." © Gene Poncelet
Hill
Location: 38.562611°, -109.592964°
© Gene Poncelet
Little Arch
Location: 38.563914°, -109.586128°
That's the Moab Rim trailhead parking lot down by the river. © Gene Poncelet
Sunset Return
Location: 38.562978°, -109.590517°
© Gene Poncelet
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